10.14.2019

Walton Passes Physical

June 28, 1985

Walton Passes Physical

Bill Walton made a surprise visit to San Francisco yesterday and was given a physical by Celtics team physician Thomas Silva.

After examining the Clippers' free agent center, Silva said, "As far as I'm concerned, my recommendation to the Celtics is that . . . I would recommend he be brought in as a player. He expressed great, positive desire to play for the Boston Celtics - to be part of this organization."

Walton did not wish to be interviewed and, according to Silva, did not meet with any other member of the Celtics' organization yesterday.

"Bill Walton was at a (basketball) clinic in northern California," said Silva last night. "He called me this morning and arranged to meet with me this afternoon. He was seen by myself in private for one hour. We discussed his past, his medical history, his current status, and his aims for the future. He was examined by me."

General manager Jan Volk was unavailable for comment. Volk and Celtics team president Red Auerbach (who was in Washington yesterday) met with Walton in southern California Friday, and said that the Celtics were very interested in signing him. Walton has until Aug. 1 to sign with another team, or he loses his free agent status and becomes property of the Clippers again.

Clippers GM Carl Scheer yesterday said he wasn't worried about Boston signing Walton, but the Celtics are ready to make a strong bid (if they can clear salary-cap obstacles). By initiating yesterday's physical, Walton appears interested in joining the Boston organization.

The Celtics hope to deal Cedric Maxwell to the Clippers as compensation for Walton (a move that would also give the Celtics the necessary salary-cap clearance), but the Clippers found Maxwell's left leg subpar last week. Maxwell is in Los Angeles going through therapy under the supervision of Clippers team doctor Tony Daly.

However, Scheer has doubts about Maxwell's ability to recover.

"There is no deal," Scheer said yesterday. "There is no conditional deal, nothing. He (Maxwell) is really not healthy."

Asked if he had doubts about Maxwell's ability to recover, Scheer replied, "Yes, I do. It wasn't there after four months, I don't know why it would get there now. I'm worried about him."

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